Monday, 27 April 2009

There’s a certain amount of hype that’s naively associated with OSI. It’s the kind of hype that believes a collaboration of great minds from other great acts, can make something suitable to go down in the scribes of metallic history (which often means an overly full metallic garbage bin). With Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree) on drumming duties, Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth) lending his vocal on track “Stockholm” and Kevin Moore (Dream Theatre) along with Jim Matheos (Fates Warning) laying the foundations; it’s easy to understand such extensive excitement surrounding Blood. At the heart of the record is a generic rock experience with electronic subtleties that easily break the mould of usual industrial movements. In other words; mesmerising details to fatten what would be generic prog-lore.

The entire album is comprised of atypical American rock, mixed with heaps of electronic characteristics. This isn’t to say it’s a more electronica than rock package; it simply helps add depth to what would be a very stale release. Furthermore, these production values retain a commercial appeal, even when claiming to be experimental. There’s a certain amount of downtempo to be had throughout Blood and as such does not qualify to be a metal entry. “Terminal” and “We Come Undone” are almost entirely made up of electronic elements that are a shade Radiohead than alt rock. “The Escape Artist”, “False Start” and “Radiologue” are made up mainly of hard rock elements that feel more like audio for screenplays than for a sole listening perspective.

Furthermore, Blood is packed full of atmosphere that is only bolstered by its dark and moody characteristics. The downtuned ‘chug’ guitars mixed with the electronic subtleties and Jonas Renkse muted vocal style help achieve this. There is also a notable charisma present throughout each number.

Remarkably with Blood having so many details in its undercurrent, it is accessible to newcomers of the genre, whilst holding enough water for the progressive diehard and warranting enough subtleties to satisfy the industrial steel men. This is a release that engages both your brain and emotions, with solid and detailed song writing. It doesn’t quite attain masterpiece status; however Blood fills those gigantic shoes quite nicely.